TK-42134's AM WIP

[TK-42134[TK]]

Hello everyone. I glued my shoulder bridges to my chest plate last night.
All that is left, with my body armor, is having to make the bicep to forearm connections. A friend is trying to help me with the construction of my helmet (a whole other story). Updates on that coming soon.


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[TK-42134[TK]]

Back at working on the helmet. Dave at Dave’s Darkside Depot was gracious enough to do a video chat to help me with my ears. Here’s my left one.
I’m getting ready to attach the right one and put the bottom screws in. Hopefully I’ll be able to send pictures in a bit.


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[TK-42134[TK]]

Ughhh. The right one still need some work. I think the left is okay. I’ll let you guys guide me on this.





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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I agree the right could do with a little more trimming. If you remove more material from the top section it should bring the whole ear inwards. It's all about fine tuning, a little trimming at a time. I found the ears the hardest part of my first build.

 

[TK-42134[TK]]

Thanks for the advice Q. I’ve been plugging away at sanding things down and it does seem to be getting better. I’ll take it off for some more work on it. Hopefully I’ll be done soon.




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[TK-42134[TK]]

Getting around to using my tube stripe templates from Trooperbay. I’m going to need to do a little clean up, but I think the side I’ve done so far turned out okay.



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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Bit late now but a tip is to use a coat of white first, that will fill any leak spots before you apply the blue

[TK-42134[TK]]

Woo hoo! Got my stencils. Now I can finish my helmet. Thanks to Trooperbay for selling these great tools.



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[TK-42134[TK]]

Hi there. I have finally finished my helmet (what a relief). I realized after posting a Pre-Approval thread, thanks to Glenn, I found that I had mistakingly glued my sniper knee on the wrong shin. I since then have removed it and reapplied it onto the correct shin. I also made a block of scrap plastic and glued it to the back with the hope that it will help kick it forward a bit, so it doesn't catch the bottom of my thigh armor. Just waiting for it to dry so I can retake the photos. I will have some minor tweaks to make along the way, but I am considering my armor complete. Here are the photos I took last night for my Pre-Approval thread. Not to knock her, but my wife took the photos, and there are some discrepancies. When I take my actual submission photos, I aim to correct them.











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Edited October 1, 2022 by TK-42134

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Great work a few tweaks and you should breeze right through.

 

It is hard when you can't be in two places at once to check for gaps and positions, I ended up getting a full length mirror just so I can check how I look in approval photos  

[TK-42134[TK]]

4 hours ago, gmrhodes13 said:

Great work a few tweaks and you should breeze right through.

 

It is hard when you can't be in two places at once to check for gaps and positions, I ended up getting a full length mirror just so I can check how I look in approval photos  

My wife kept getting irritated when she was helping me, as I was looking at my reflection in the windows. LOL Thanks for all your advice @gmrhodes13. You are a legend. 

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

NICE job on this set of AM, Mark.. your hard work has paid off!  I know you are aiming for Centurion (you are well on your way) and it can be difficult to notice some issues until you actually see them in photos.  You have probably noticed these items already, but if I may make a few suggestions:

 

Photo 1- The ABS belt needs to be raised to where it at least covers the bottom(s) of the ab-button panels.  Hopefully you don't have to relocate the snaps that hold it to the canvas belt, and Velcro will help hold that rascal in place.

The left thigh should be raised to where the tops of the centers align.  Easy strapping issue!

 

Photo 2-  In a perfect world the cover strips on the thighs and calves should line up front and back.  Again, just a strapping issue.

 

                                           1.                                                                                       2.

  

 

Photo 3-  The outside edges of the drop boxes need to align with the outside edges of the ABS belt, and the strap(s) that hold them to the canvas belt should not be visible.    Just move em' over and add a little E-6000 to the rear of the elastic to hold them in place and you are good to go!

 

Photos 4/5-   Again, something that is impossible to see when suited up, but just make sure whoever is helping you dress fully closes the rear of the calves.  Looks like your Velcro may be coming off the bottom.

 

                            3.                                                           4.                                              5.

         

 

I can definitely see this armor is headed to Expert Infantry, and then onto Centurion!

[TK-42134[TK]]

After making some adjustments, I sent photos in to my GML. I found out today I was approved for basic. Last night, I began taking some of the necessary photos to submit for Expert Infantry. I ordered Sugru to close the small gaps at the back of my thighs. Hoping to reach higher levels soon.


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[Doggydoc[Staff]]

Awesome news. Congrats on getting approved. 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Great news, congratulations trooper and welcome to the ranks (just watch those drop box positions  )

 

Looking forward to seeing your EIB application soon 

[TK-42134[TK]]

26 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said:

Great news, congratulations trooper and welcome to the ranks (just watch those drop box positions  )

 

Looking forward to seeing your EIB application soon 

Thanks Glen. I will be gluing down the elastic on the drop boxes to the belt to keep them in place.

[TK-42134[TK]]

I guess I will keep this thread going as I reach for Expert Infantry and Centurion. I have since fixed my sniper knee issue by removing it and gluing it on the correct shin. For my submission photos, I adjusted my straps so things align better. Tonight, I glued the straps on my drop boxes to hold them in place. on my belt. I will attempt to put velcro to hold the belt up closer to the bottom of my ab plates. If that doesn't work, I will remove the snaps on my belt and replace them at different spots to get it to sit right. Thinking ahead for Centurion, I have ordered and received Sugru and will glue scrap behind the back ridges of my thighs to fill the gaps. Pictures will be incoming soon. 

[TK-42134[TK]]

I’m very pleased at how the belt looks now that the drop boxes are tacked down with glue.




Painted the screws on my thermal detonator.


…..and I filled the backs of my thighs with Sugru.



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